 |
| Gary Dineen/NBAE/Getty Images |
The Shock will once again be relying heavily on the inside presence of Taj McWilliams-Franklin, who has proven to be an apt replacement for Cheryl Ford in four games since joining Detroit. McWilliams-Franklin has averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 49 percent from the floor. And most recently the veteran big had her best night as a member of Detroit, collecting 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds and two blocks in a win over her former team -- the Mystics.
But while McWilliams-Franklin has helped the Shock down the stretch, she was primarily acquired for the postseason, which is fast approaching.
Can McWilliams-Franklin quickly mesh with her teammates and lead the Shock back to the Finals? Find out what she had to say when she stopped by Tuesday to chat with fans prior to the game with the Mercury.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:04 PM ET ) I would just like to welcome everybody to the chat. I can't wait to answer all your questions. Be sure to tune into the game tonight against the Mercury. We're hoping to position ourselves in a good spot for the playoffs!
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:06 PM ET ) Thanks TJ for your question. Go Shock! I feel that my presence here has added a presence for the post players with my outside game. I can shoot from the outside and that helps out the inside game. I add versatility on defense too because I can play defense on a lot of the forwards and some of the guards in the league.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:08 PM ET ) Well, as you know this is a business. Players don't have a say where they get traded. The only dark side is the one within you that you are not willing to talk about.. haha. No, there is no dark side. The Shock are normal players who live and breathe believe it or not. I do miss Connecticut though.
Always a fan.
Nikki
p.s. I met you at the allstar game last year. I could not help but tell everyone what a great personality you have and how friendly you are. Thanks for making the experience great.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:10 PM ET ) That's really sweet of you to say. The biggest change for me has been finding my way to the Palace. I would be lost without my GPS system. Detroit is huge. I use my GPS every day and that's the biggest change for me.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:12 PM ET ) Plenette's re-appearance from prison couldn't have come at a better time for us. I've actually played with her every game she's been back. She has a good energy and is always totally locked in. I can feed off her. I know I have someone who totally believes in me. She's a great teammate.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:14 PM ET ) My new team is really great, I've known the players for a long time. I played with Sheri Sam and Elaine Powell. I've played against the others before. After studying the games to play against them, you understand how to play with them. Bill, contrary to popular belief, is a good coach. He knows how to get his players motivated. He doesn't walk around screaming all day as some might expect. He does most of his talking during games.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:17 PM ET ) That's a good question. I don't think my leadership is that big of a deal here as it was in Washington. Is this a way to say I'm old, TJ? I am one of the oldest players, so I guess I'm setting an example by the way I go about my business. You have to take care of your body and get yourself prepared mentally. I guess I bring a steadiness to the team.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:20 PM ET ) Playing for the Shock in the playoffs willl help me playing for the Turkish team because I'll already be playing at a high level. The game on Oct. 11 that will be a huge game for us in Turkey, hopefully I'll be prepared for that and help them come away with the cups.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:21 PM ET ) If you must know, every night in my dreams I dunk. That's how close I come. Haha. I really don't think about it. I can take two steps and touch the rim. I found out the same two points that a layup are, are the same as a dunk. But I do dunk every night in my dreams.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:23 PM ET ) That's a hard one. I would have to say Minnesota only because the Mall of America is it's own country. And I would have tp say Seattle. There's a lot of things to do and enjoy in that city. It's great just walk around there.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:24 PM ET ) Thanks for the welcome. I am ready to win a title every year I play, but especially here. I'm ready to win a championship.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:26 PM ET ) The style or play is different because the players go out and give 100 percent all the time. It's seems like it's rough and tumble, but the players are aggressive. The systems that you play in are going to be the same. Most coaches have it the same way with their offenses. they may appear to be different, but 90 percent use of the same plays, just in a different way.
and thanks for your time...
GODO LUCK TONIGHT!!!
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:29 PM ET ) The only advice would be to make sure they are having fun while working hard. A lot of young girls get pushed into sports by their parents. Just make sure they are having fun while doing it. As to who they look up to, I hope they would find something within their mothers and community leaders. Even though you look up to us, we're just normal people. But I understand people do look up to us, and we do have good hearts.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:30 PM ET ) I've signed on to play another year with Detroit. I go year-to-year. I re-evalutate after each season I play. It depends on how I feel. If the passion is still there, I'll play. It's not if my body holds up. But I don't think I'll be going away any time soon.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:32 PM ET ) I play for the Shock so My Rookie of the Year is Alexis Hornbuckle. Sorry all you CP3 fans. I have to go with my teammate.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:34 PM ET ) Interesting questions. It's the same as if you were changing jobs, just in four different cities. The difficulty lies when you worry about things you can't control. I'm in Detroit and I have another year here, so that's where I'll be until I'm needing elsewhere. Being traded is not so bad. It gives me the opportunity to play with a whole bunch of new players.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:36 PM ET ) I do absolutely nothing to get pumped up. I get pumped up just playing. I sit around. I read. I listen to music. I do the same things I do when I'm not playing. I actually start focusing on the next opponent early, so I don't worry about that on game day. I just sit around and rest. I'm old. You can't be wasting that energy doing other stuff.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:38 PM ET ) The Detroit Shcok are all on the same page and we will definitely be in the Finals this year as in years past.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin: (1:39 PM ET ) I'd like to thank you guys for sending in your questions. Sorry If I didn't get to your question. Watch us tonight on ESPN2, and the rest of the season as well. Keep supporting the WNBA -- we really appreciate it as players. Thank you for everything you guys do.